Bethesda Game Studios often finds itself under criticism these days, yet it’s undeniable that they have crafted some of the most groundbreaking RPGs in gaming history. Since its release in 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a fantasy action RPG, has set standards in the genre, inspiring countless other games of varying scales. Similarly, their 2015 title, Fallout 4, has retained a strong fanbase for nearly a decade, enduring a fair share of criticism from some die-hard Fallout enthusiasts. Both games have achieved incredible sales figures globally, cementing themselves as legends in RPG lore.
Despite substantial success in terms of popularity, Bethesda’s reputation for technical prowess hasn’t always been stellar. Titles like Skyrim, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and even their latest entry, Starfield, have faced scrutiny from fans regarding their graphics, often judged as lacking compared to other high-end games. Running on Bethesda’s Creation Engine, these games don’t always meet modern visual expectations and often suffer from frequent loading screens and persistent bugs, leading some to label the engine as outdated. This has prompted discussions about whether Bethesda should transition to Unreal Engine 5 for subsequent projects—a move that could offer certain advantages but also potential drawbacks.
Unreal Engine 5 is renowned for its visually stunning capabilities, thanks to features like Lumen and Nanite that, when used effectively, can transform a game’s appearance. If Bethesda were to harness UE5 for future game development, the graphical improvements could be substantial. Imagine a Fallout or Elder Scrolls game showcasing visuals and lighting akin to the stunning aesthetics seen in games like Black Myth: Wukong. For fans of these series, such upgrades would be thrilling.
Adopting Unreal Engine 5 could also streamline Bethesda’s game development process, potentially allowing for quicker releases. The Creation Engine is tricky to master, requiring significant expertise, whereas Unreal Engine 5 is quite popular, meaning many developers are already versed in it. As a result, teams could ramp up more quickly, easing hiring challenges, as noted by former Bethesda artist Nate Purkeypile.
Still, the switch to Unreal Engine 5 wouldn’t necessarily solve all issues related to Bethesda’s existing engine. While UE5 has its own detractors, concerned with a growing homogenization among AAA games as more studios migrate to it, proprietary engines are uniquely tailored to cater to specific game styles, offering niche features that generic engines might lack.
One of the Creation Engine’s standout features is its unparalleled mod support. Bethesda’s engine remains one of the most adaptable for modding, significantly more so than Unreal Engine 5. Given how integral mod creators are to the Bethesda community, maintaining ease of modding is crucial. A shift to UE5 could jeopardize this aspect, potentially altering the vibrant modding landscape Bethesda’s games have long enjoyed.
